Boosters

2 Basic Types

Belt PositioningBelt Positioning BacklessBackless High backHigh back

Shield (no longer on the market, 30-Shield (no longer on the market, 30-40 lbs.)40 lbs.)

Belt Positioning Boosters

High Back Backless

BPB Effectiveness

Belt-positioning booster seats lower the risk of injury to children in crashes by 59 percent compared to the use of vehicle seat belts alone.

Proper belt positioning of the belt by booster seats virtually eliminates injuries associated with seat belt syndrome, including injuries to the abdomen and spine.

Source: Partners for Child Passenger Safety as appears in CHOP report

Is one safer than the other?

Both provide crash protection in a Both provide crash protection in a crashcrash

Both lift the child up so the adult lap-Both lift the child up so the adult lap-shoulder belt fits correctly.shoulder belt fits correctly.

Backless BPB Low seats appeal to older children who don’t want to be Low seats appeal to older children who don’t want to be

seen using a “little kid’s seat” (although older, taller seen using a “little kid’s seat” (although older, taller children would benefit from a high back booster in children would benefit from a high back booster in vehicles with rear seat head restraints). vehicles with rear seat head restraints).

Narrow base of some may improve access to belt Narrow base of some may improve access to belt buckles if three children are in restraints across the buckles if three children are in restraints across the back seat.back seat.

Some are adjustable in width.Some are adjustable in width. Low cost ($15-30) Low cost ($15-30) Compactness is convenient for air travelers to pack for Compactness is convenient for air travelers to pack for

use at the end of the fight.use at the end of the fight.

Shoulder belt guides on straps may be difficult to use, Shoulder belt guides on straps may be difficult to use, not present, or easily lost. not present, or easily lost.

Source: Safe Ride News March/April 2006.

SAMPLE: Backless shoulder

belt adjuster

High back BPB Research shows a benefit for high-back boosters over lap-Research shows a benefit for high-back boosters over lap-

shoulder belts in side impacts (data on backless booster shoulder belts in side impacts (data on backless booster was insufficient to make a statement of effectiveness) (Safe was insufficient to make a statement of effectiveness) (Safe Ride News, November/December 2005). Ride News, November/December 2005).

Backs offer varying degrees of rear-impact head/neck Backs offer varying degrees of rear-impact head/neck protection (although a few do not allow use if the child’s protection (although a few do not allow use if the child’s head is above the vehicle seat back). head is above the vehicle seat back).

Built-in shoulder belt guides allow proper positioning of the Built-in shoulder belt guides allow proper positioning of the belt (although some guides hinder retraction of the belt (although some guides hinder retraction of the shoulder belt, an important deficit). shoulder belt, an important deficit).

Adjustable headrests with side-wings help keep sleeping Adjustable headrests with side-wings help keep sleeping children upright with the shoulder belt positioned properlychildren upright with the shoulder belt positioned properly

More expensive than backless BPBsMore expensive than backless BPBs

Source: Safe Ride News March/April 2006.

SAMPLE: High back shoulder

belt adjuster

The cup holder

The latest technology to get kids to The latest technology to get kids to want to be in boosters.want to be in boosters.

Weight Limits Weight limits vary Weight limits vary

Usually 30-100 for Usually 30-100 for high back BPBhigh back BPB

Usually 40-100 for Usually 40-100 for backless BPBbackless BPB

Watch for proper belt Watch for proper belt path and fitpath and fit

Look on labels for Look on labels for specific height and specific height and weight limitsweight limits Some no longer have Some no longer have

height limitsheight limits

Lots to choose from!

AirbagsThat’s a nice bag you have That’s a nice bag you have

but you need a belt to go with but you need a belt to go with it.it.

Airbag warning labels

ACTIVE Airbag Suppression

ManualManual On/Off switchOn/Off switch ON for older kids and adultsON for older kids and adults OFF for childrenOFF for children

PASSIVE Airbag suppression

Front passenger seatFront passenger seat Turns the frontal and/or side Turns the frontal and/or side

passenger air bag off (or depowers passenger air bag off (or depowers it) under specific conditions.it) under specific conditions.

You must read the Owner’s Manual to You must read the Owner’s Manual to determine if it is present and how determine if it is present and how status is indicatedstatus is indicated

2 passive suppression options

1.1. Turning off the frontal airbag entirely for the Turning off the frontal airbag entirely for the front passenger if a weight sensor or other front passenger if a weight sensor or other type of sensor detects a child or child-sized type of sensor detects a child or child-sized person is in the outboard front seat. person is in the outboard front seat.

2.2. Deploying the frontal airbag in a way that's Deploying the frontal airbag in a way that's less likely to cause harm to an occupant less likely to cause harm to an occupant who's sitting out of position in a seat. who's sitting out of position in a seat.

An example is to install dual-stage inflators in the An example is to install dual-stage inflators in the front-passenger frontal airbag that provide for a front-passenger frontal airbag that provide for a lower-level airbag deployment when needed. lower-level airbag deployment when needed.

Side Impact Airbags

Check the vehicle and child restraint Check the vehicle and child restraint manufacturers' recommendations for manufacturers' recommendations for child restraint use in that vehicle. child restraint use in that vehicle.

NHTSA SAB recommendations

ALL children use a safety restraint appropriate for ALL children use a safety restraint appropriate for their age and size (this could be a safety seat, their age and size (this could be a safety seat, booster seat or adult safety belt).  booster seat or adult safety belt). 

Children aged 12 and younger are safest sitting in Children aged 12 and younger are safest sitting in the rear seat properly restrained.  the rear seat properly restrained. 

NEVER place a rear-facing infant seat in the front NEVER place a rear-facing infant seat in the front seat of a vehicle with a front passenger air bag.seat of a vehicle with a front passenger air bag.

Do not not lean or rest against chest-only or Do not not lean or rest against chest-only or head/chest combination SABs.head/chest combination SABs.

NHTSA has not seen any indication of risks to NHTSA has not seen any indication of risks to children from current roof-mounted head SABs.children from current roof-mounted head SABs.

Source: http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/ncap/airbags/pages/SABFAQs.htm#7

What will they think of next?

Not just for cars…

GL 1800 GoldwingGL 1800 Goldwing

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